Junior Section
The main aim of the Junior Section of the South Wales Mountaineering Club (SWMC) is to provide climbing opportunities for young climbers from South Wales.
Membership
The Junior Section is open to those aged between seven and seventeen. Please note that if you are a complete beginner it would be appreciated if you would gain basic climbing knowledge at your local climbing wall. We will consider for membership any person who can demonstrate to us the necessary attitudes and aptitudes. Please contact John Custance when you have mastered the basics.
Once you have completed your first meet and wish to come on more meets you will have to join the SWMC.
The SWMC is affiliated to the British Mountaineering Council which looks after the interests of climbers and hill walkers in a variety of ways, e.g. Access and Conservation, Insurance Schemes and Competitions.
The Club is run by parents and volunteers, we don't have formal climbing qualifications but are experienced climbers. We expect parents to help out with belaying and supervision at junior club meets, we organise rotas to share the responsibility and time commitments.
Joining the club; which costs £11.00, gives you certain advantages the most important of which is that you are covered by British Mountaineering Council (BMC) third party indemnity. Other advantages are that by showing your membership card you can get discount at many outdoor equipment retail shops.
We actively encourage parents/guardians to participate in the Junior activities but to do so they must also join the SWMC to obtain their BMC third party indemnity; which costs £15.00 or £13.00 for concessions. If parents/guardians join they will be able to access the SWMC website bulletin board and see what is going on in the club. Access to the bulletin board is for over 17s only.
Adult and junior application forms can be downloaded from the website but please remember that membership of the Junior Section is by invitation. The club has formally adopted a child protection policy - all meets where juniors attend are governed by this. The club's child protection officer is John Goodwin.
Climbing Equipment
The Section does not own any climbing equipment therefore you will need to supply your own harness, climbing boots and a helmet. Helmets must be worn when climbing outside (we have a few spare helmets for your first outdoor trip but after that you will need to buy one). If you have a rope please bring it, so that the leaders are not using their own kit all the time.
Parent/Guardian Responsibility
Parents/guardians will need to stay with their youngsters during a meet or make arrangements with another parent/guardian to be responsible.
Junior Members Responsibilities
Behave Sensibly! - Climbing is a dangerous sport!
Always wear your harness properly - The buckle should be on the waist and not the hips.
Belaying is a very responsible job! - Please be careful and look after your climbing partner. Check each other's knots and karabiners before climbing; do not distract other members who are belaying.
Always wear a helmet when climbing/belaying outside.
Make new club members feel welcome. Remember! You were once a beginner too!
Treat all equipment with respect! (e.g. don’t walk on ropes or drop helmets). Ensure all equipment is returned and help to tidy the equipment at the end of the session. (e.g. coil ropes).
Meets
The junior section meet monthly, on the second Sunday, to a mixture of venues. During the summer months, weather permitting, these are outdoors with an indoor alternative, some to very local crags in the valleys area and others further a field! Winter sessions are indoors, where we take advantage of all indoor walls in South Wales.
Please note that details of meets will be sent out by email direct to Junior members.